Car theft remains one of the most persistent crimes in Kenya, with thousands of vehicles reported stolen every month.
While many motorists assume that theft is purely a matter of bad luck, experts point out that certain factors make some cars far more vulnerable than others.
Spare Parts and Car Types
First, the demand for spare parts drives theft, with popular models such as Toyota Probox, Axio, Fielder, Premio, and Harrier being highly targeted because their parts sell quickly in second-hand markets.
Once stolen, these cars are dismantled within hours, and the parts are distributed to readily accessible auto markets including shops in Nairobi’s Kirinyaga Road, Kariobangi yards, Mombasa, and other areas.
According to the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI), the most frequently stolen brand is Toyota, which accounts for 54.9 per cent of reported thefts. Other brands include Isuzu (12.88 per cent), Mazda (7.06 per cent), Nissan (5.83 per cent), and Mitsubishi (3.99 per cent).
Vehicle body types also put cars at risk, with station wagons continuing to be the most stolen type of vehicle, representing 67.80 per cent of all thefts.
Other commonly targeted body types include Lorries (11.46 per cent), Saloons (6.81 per cent), and Pick-ups (3.72 per cent).
AKI also notes that vehicle colour influences theft patterns, with its report indicating that white vehicles were the most stolen (39.80 per cent), followed by silver (16.72 per cent) and black (15.38 per cent).
Outdated security systems
Cars without alarms, immobilisers, or GPS trackers are stolen more easily. Criminal syndicates have also mastered how to bypass factory-fitted security systems in some models. Mostly, reports have suggested that these syndicates often involve using signal jammers to bypass the systems.
Some rogue tracker installers in Kenya have been accused of colluding with theft syndicates, using their access to vehicles to plant duplicate systems or share security details.
To avoid falling victim, motorists are advised to only use licensed and insurer-recommended providers, ensure they receive proper documentation such as receipts and installation certificates, and always be present during installation to prevent hidden devices from being fitted.
Car owners should also take control of their system by changing default passwords or PINs immediately after installation and carrying out periodic checks with trusted mechanics to detect tampering.
Linking the tracker to an insurance-monitored system adds an extra layer of oversight, ensuring alerts and updates are verified by a neutral authority rather than relying solely on the installer.
Estates and Parking Spaces
Police have repeatedly flagged theft hotspots in Nairobi CBD, Thika, and Mombasa, where syndicates operate. Vehicles left overnight in unguarded estates and compounds, dimly lit streets, or unregulated parking zones are common targets among the car theft syndicates.
Some populous estates within areas such as Eastlands have been major targets. Be sure to park in gated communities.
Mechanics advise that you can consider removing the car batteries or disconnecting the terminals at night to avoid being a victim.
Cross-border Resale
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and police, some stolen vehicles are re-registered with fake number plates and smuggled into the neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan, where they are sold cheaply or as spare parts.
Collusion
There have been reported cases where rogue drivers, car wash attendants, or mechanics duplicate keys or share information with syndicates, making theft easier. Car tracker installers have also been blamed for deploying this trick to target unsuspecting motorists.
Finally, fraud linked to logbook transfers has left some car buyers stranded. NTSA has warned that operating a car under the seller’s name beyond 14 days is an offense and leaves buyers vulnerable to repossession if the car turns out to be stolen.
